Moves That Burke Should Make Post July 1st

I want to focus on moves the Leafs should make post July 1st, as the acquisitions of Orr, Exelby and Komisarek have already been readily discussed, admired and/or scrutinized. In short though, I LOVE the moves made by Burke yesterday – the Leafs get tougher which allows their speedier offensive-type players to feel a little more protected. I don’t think the big name offensive players like the Sedin Sisters, Cammelari, Hossa, Gaborik, etc. that were out there yesterday would fit into the Leafs future plans and/or we don’t want them anyway for various reasons which I won’t get into here.

Also, to all you Leaf-Haters that roll their eyes about another “What the Leafs Should Do Article”…as indicated by the title, this is OBVIOUSLY a Leafs article so don’t read it if you hate the Leafs…it’s quite annoying when you gripe about it in the comments section and you just end up sounding like a knob…we Leafs fans love to speculate about our team so why not just let us have our fun? I don’t see the big issue, if you don’t like the Leafs, then don’t read Leafs articles…it’s that simple. Anyway, having said that, here’s my two cents on what the Leafs should do….

#1 – Trade

To Vancouer:

Tomas Kaberle and Matt Stajan

To Toronto:

Cody Hodgson and Alexandre Burrows, + 2nd round draft pick in 2010

Analysis:

Vancouver gets the puck moving, power play quarterback they so desperately need plus a young, 3rd line centre. Toronto gets Hodgson, a great prospect with massive potential. In my opinion HODGSON IS THE NHL’S NEXT SUPERSTAR, HE WILL BE A BETTER, MORE VALUABLE AND MORE COMPLETE PLAYER THAN JOHN TAVARES OR VICTOR HEDMAN – JUST REMEMBER WHEN IT HAPPENS THAT YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!!

Toronto also gets a fast pesky forward with descent hands in Burrows. This is win-win for both teams, although if Vancouver values Hodgson as much as I do, they won’t let him go for Kaberle…Leafs could steal one here…

Atlanta gets a solid 2nd line winger in Poni, who can play with his old buddy Antropov and Kovalchuk, or with Kozlov on the 2nd line. Atlanta also gets two young prospects – one D-man (Stralman) and one winger (Kulemin), plus throw-ins in Myers, who is a tough guy 4th liner to protect Kovalchuk (does Atlanta currently have a tough guy?), plus another throw-in with Pogge – he’s considered a “throw-in” and not a prospect because realistically, he doesn’t have a lot of trade value right now but he still has some potential.

In return, the Leafs get a new prospective PP quarterback in Enstrom (to eventually replace Kaberle in a few years), plus some sandpaper with decent hands in Armstrong and a great goaltending prospect in Pavelec, who is likely NHL ready.

I like this deal because even though the Leafs are giving up some young talent, they are also getting young talent back in return. As much as I think Kulemin is a great kid – he just doesn’t have the soft hands to play on a 1st or 2nd line long-term and he’s not tough enough to play on a “Burke-style” 3rd or 4th line. So, we should trade him while he still has some offensive potential and trade value – that perception won’t last long with other NHL managers after a couple of years – see Matt Stajan. Also, no matter how much I watch Stralman, I just can’t see any potential upside to his game – he doesn’t have great speed, he’s nervous on the ice, plus he doesn’t make great outlet passes….I honestly don’t see what all the hype is about….trade him too while he has some potential upside to him…remember, we are getting back Enstrom in the trade who also a young stud with tonnes of potential.

Pavelec can either be the back-up goalie or play for the Marlies – pending if we get “The Monster” or not….

#3 – Free Agent Signing

Sign Sergei Zubov to a 2 year contract – his health is questionable I know, but he can mentor Enstrom and Ian White (even if he ends up getting injured again), plus any other offensive type D-men in the Leafs system…he would be the Leafs quarterback while the young guys like Enstrom develop into top-line D-men (plus Zubov also provides an immediate replacement for Kaberle)…

Plan B – if Zubov is unavailable or retires – look for a similar guy, possibly a Schnieder or Bergeron, don’t overpay for an older veteran type guy but remember – the purpose is to provide some offence in the back end in the short term plus mentor young offensive D-men for the long term…

#4 – Trade

To Anaheim:

Vesa Toskala

To Toronto:

J.S. Gigeure

Analysis:

Straight up trade, one for one. Since Gigeure is now the back-up in Anaheim – this is essentially a salary dump for the Ducks. I think “Giggy” has some spunk left in him and the former Conn Smythe winner will revive his career under his old manager Burke. Toskala, who I do like, is NOT the answer for the Leafs to win the Cup – Giggy can win a Cup and has done it before with the Ducks.

#5 – Free Agent Signing

Sign Jonas “The Monster” Gustafsson (assuming he wants to go to the Leafs of course)

Analysis:

Let Pavalec and The Monster fight it out for who will back up Giggy. If Giggy does end up stinking up the ACC every night and it looks as though his career is on a down-slide, then we have 2 VERY strong prospective starting goalies to back him up and keep the pressure on him.

#6 – Free Agent Signing

Sign Travis Moen

Analysis:

Awesome playoff shut-down type player – typical Burke, gritty player.

#6 – Free Agent Signing

Sign Chad LaRose

Analysis:

Clutch playoff type player – played awesome for Carolina this year in the playoffs – another Burke-type player.

#7 – Arbitration Result

Sign Grabovski

Analysis:

We need him – young with speed and an attitude to stir things up – he’s a guy you hate to play against – he will draw some penalties and score a few goals…

October 2009 Leafs Line-Up

Forwards:

Offence 1 = Hodgson, Blake, Burrows

Offence 2 = Hagman, Grabovski, Stempniak

Shut-Down = LaRose, Moen, Armstrong

Checking = Orr, Mitchell, Stuart

Prospect Line (Offence) = Bozak, Hansen, Tlusty

Defense:

Offensive-Type = Zubov, Enstrom, White, Van Ryn

Shut-Down = Schenn, Komisarek, Exelby, Finger

Extras/Prospects = Oreskevic, Frogren

Goalies:

Giguere

The Monster

Pavalec

I haven’t looked at the salary cap numbers and requirements but considering the salary the Leafs would be giving up (especially Kaberle, Toskala, Myers) and give
n the Leafs currently have about 9 million in available cap space (last I heard), I think this could work out financially for the Leafs.

Thoughts, comments??

67 Responses to Moves That Burke Should Make Post July 1st

You're rediculous alright and I bet you ARE enjoying this – you're probably whaling on that little inch worm of yours right now and thinking of "reinjosh" while rubbing off a batch all over yourself…you fruit. Watch out you don't ruin your keyboard…

If he keeps getting better, you could be right. He has some really good tools and creates stuff on the rush with his speed.

In the back of my mind, I'm always scared when a player has only one good season and then gets rewarded. But it's entirely possible that $3M per season could be a bargain for the Leafs if he keeps getting better.

Normally I wouldn't bother responding to a guy who still uses the words "tool" or "moron"…..OUCH!! When were you born dude….1962? Do you use the word "groovy" as well?

I did actually want to respond to your hockey response though…you say trade Kaberle for a top 15 first rounder + good prospect or good top 6 forward. In my response (not my original message) I said what about Kaberle + prospect (not Schenn though) for Hodgson….I don't see a HUGE difference in what you said and what I said but yet my trade is terrible?? You're not making a lot of sense bud.

And it didn't take me too long to write – probably about 20 minutes – you see, I can type with more than two fingers there big guy…

Pat me on the head? You just keep tossing me lollypops don't you? But I'll let sleeping dogs lie on this one as you obviously are a little "stunted" in the comeback department, and, as your boyfriend told me, stunted in "other" departments as well.

You should just head on down to the Greasy Burger for another cheeseburger, that'll quench what ails ya…

trading kaberle for hodgson isn't realistic because he's clearly become a part of that team's long term plans. they have already grown attached to him, and they are certain he will be a star for them.

kaberle can get a good return, but to them, hodgson is just as untouchable as schenn is to us. so asking for him is a non-starter. if you're trading kaberle, you want to look at teams who are on the cusp of winning it all and have stock piled draft picks and prospects.

philly would have been ideal, because they have the perfect prospect for burke and wilson (a big, strong, american left-winger with enormous potential), and they aren't even all that high on him. their offense is so solid, vanRiemsdyk's loss wouldn't be felt for years, and by then, they would have likely been able to replace him. unfortuneatly, Pronger became available, and Anaheim scooped up all their resources, essentially making vanRiemsdyk an untradeable asset for the time being.

boston is a good target too, but chiarellis being a dink. his team is so screwed cap wise, and he still wants enormous returns for players that are coming off potentially career-altering hip surgery. it's laughable what he expects for kessel, but this team does have assets we could use – bergeron, wheeler, colborne, hamill, 1st round picks – it's just chiarelli might be too cheap to deal them.

same deal with LA. they are content to overpay for guys like scuderi, rather than go out and trade any of their assets for quality, proven, consistent talent. they are not very much better today than they were june 30th, and still lombardi thinks Schenn is worth a Kings Ransom. It's BS.

So you see, you have to wait for someone to come to us with a good deal. We can't go forcing Kaberle onto Vancouver, or Los Angeles, we have to wait for these teams to realize how much they need his awesome first pass and ridiculous poise on the powerplay. Only then will we get the return we deserve.

Right now, we need to focus on finding guys who can replace Kaberle if that offer does come along – Cam Barker is there for the taking, and Beauchemin is rumored on his way to town.

Your trade with Atlanta is bad because it is so massive. The Thrashers are finally on the right track, and they don't need this big of an adjustment. They have their top line solidified (for years to come if Kovy re-ups) and an amazing 2nd line center on the way (Evander Kane). They have youth, and powerplay presence, and strength on their blue line (Enstrom/Bogosian, Kubina/Hainsey, Valabik), and they have two great goaltenders. They don't need this trade.

Now, I don't want to be a dick to you, because that seems to only set you off, but seriously man, settle down. No need to mock everyone who responds to you. You're asking for insults and then acting shocked when people insult you. And you keep doing it. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, but expecting different results. Just step back, and everyone will forget this even happened within the next 24 hours.

look at what cam saidand i dont understand why you must refer to pointless insultsat least mine actual hold worth on this sitetelling you to not act retarded by making stupid and baseless insultsand you just spent about as much time as anyone else on the sitemaking you a hypocritei dont honestly know why im responding becuase your obviously someone who cant deal with be told their wrongand why would we trade a player that can get us a top 6 forward and a chance a top 30 prospect in 2010 and our top prospect/top young player for one top playerit doesnt make sense for a team thats rebuildingnot to mention that vancouver wouldnt trade him anyways because he is their top prospect and is just as untouchable as Luke Schenn was to us.It is a huge difference

i think its funny how he claims to have so much better things to do with his time and then he sits on here just thinking up incredibly asinine (i wonder if he knows what that means) insults with absolutely no basis that he knows aboutits quite hilarious actually